As we go into our last few Women’s Super League games, we currently sit a few points off relegation.
Last month we played Manchester United at home and Arsenal away and I’m pretty happy that we left them games with one point added, which came in the draw against Man Utd. I really expected nothing.
Asian Cup Success and Returning Stars
A big miss last month was not having Riko Ueki as she was representing Japan in the Asian Cup and has now come home with the trophy. We also lost our captain Katrina Gorry as she was representing Australia and also made the final.
Another big player we have coming back is Shelina Zadorsky as she has come back from injury. We finally have a fully fit team heading into our last few big games.
Having Ueki back will help us in attack as we have had to move Viviane Asseyi back to striker and after how well she has done in left wing this season, that did effect us massively going forward.
With Gorry, I think we were lucky at how well Zelem has done but having fresh legs in the centre of the park to come on will always be a miss and the fact our captain was away for a month will always be difficult but she’s back now.
Whilst for Zadorsky having her back will help because she is such a vocal piece in centre back and after losing Anouk Denton in the transfer window, we are really short in that position. But I have to say against Man Utd you would have never known we were low at the back.
The Massive Impact of Katie Zelem
Since Katie Zelem has joined she has helped massively with the leadership especially since Gorry was away representing Australia.
But for me it is the way she has controlled the midfield, she covers every blade of grass with so much ease and she regains possession in many vital moments.
Since she joined in January everything has clicked for her, you wouldn’t think she missed half a season. In the relegation battle we are in, Katie Zelem may have been the smartest signing we could have got.
Crucial Final Fixtures
Our last few games are against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City. That Liverpool game could be the difference between WSL football next season and the Championship.
I’m a lot more confident now with our fully fit squad that we will stay in the league but in these few games it is a must we find at least one win as we know others will.
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